Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 5).djvu/305

] My Hekebolius, listen and know! I too, like you, have cast off the yoke of error. The immortal Sun-King, to whom we mortals owe so much, I have restored to his ancient state; Fortuna has received her offering from my humble hands; and if, at this moment, you find me weary and somewhat unstrung, it is because I have but now been celebrating a festival in honour of the divine Dionysus.

I hear, and am amazed!

See,—the garland is still in my hair. Amid the joyous acclaim of the multitude—yes, I may call it a multitude

And I did not even dream of such great things!

Now we will gather around us all friends of truth, and lovers of wisdom, all seemly and reverent worshippers of the gods;—there are already some—not very many

The physician, accompanied by several officials and notables of the former court, enters from the left.

Ah, here we have the good Caesarius,—numerously accompanied, and with a face that betokens urgent business.